Affordable Nashville: How to eat well while filling up your ears

Counter service at Arnold’s Country Kitchen

Music isn’t Nashville’s only claim to fame, said Lucas Peterson in The New York Times. Though the best way to spend time in Music City is to catch every bar band and Grand Ole Opry revue you can, “there’s exceptional eats to enjoy between shows,” even for music lovers saving all their money for high-end concert tickets and $2 PBRs. During a recent four-night visit, “I scarcely noticed the damage to my wallet.”

Pepperfire Of course you’re going to want to try some Nashville hot chicken, and the most famous source, Prince’s, truly “has no equal.” Pepperfire is for those times when you don’t want to wait in a one-hour line. The hot chicken will answer your craving, or you can opt for a $12.50 Tender Royale, a deep-fried cheese sandwich topped with three spicy, cumin-forward chicken tenders. 1000 Gallatin Ave., (615) 582-4824

Arnold’s Country Kitchen “For those looking for a complete Southern meal, Arnold’s is the place to find it.” When you order a classic “meat and three,” you get a huge tray of food for less than $11, like thinly shaved roast beef with mac ‘n’ cheese, tender greens, and “powerfully smoky” pinto beans. 605 8th Ave. S., (615) 256-4455

Merchant’s Restaurant You get a choice between two concepts here: a high-end steak-and-seafood restaurant on the second floor and a more casual “Southern bistro” below it. At the latter, expect “spot-on” fried green tomatoes, “satisfying” pulled pork, and servers who won’t mind if you want to split everything you order. 401 Broadway, (615) 254-1892 ■